Trireme Replica - Paralos

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Wooden replica model ship that is an exact replica of the ancient Athenian trireme making it unique in the world since there's no other such replica made. Great care was exercised to ensure that it will include all functionality and detail of the ancient ship used to by the Athenians to fight in the Sea battle of Salamis and beyond.
Mr Denis Paraskevatos constructed the Paralos Trireme over a period of eighteen months. Mr Paraskevatos relayed the history of his Trireme.
The first Trireme was constructed in Greece by the shipbuilder Aminoklis in 704BC, originating from Corinth. The first four Triremes he constructed were ordered by a Poliykrates from Samos, thus the ships were known as Samines. Poliykrates realised he would be able to use the Triremes for his own benefit against invading pirates, as well as to engage in activities of piracy himself. The Athenians built 200 Triremes for the battle of Salamis, all constructed over a period of eighteen months. This was a huge feat, on average a new ship was build every second day.
Triremes were primarily used in sea battles, however there were two unique Triremes, the Salaminia and the Paralos, which were considered Holy and only used for Ambassadors and Consulates on overseas trips. Mr Paraskevatos’ Trireme is the Paralos. The term Paralos derives from the Greek social class from the shores, or the merchant classes. Greece was divided into three basic social classes. The mountain region, the plateaus or fields bound to agriculture, and those from the shores. Paralia translates to from the shore. The Paralia were an important class in influencing the democracy. They were divergent group who would deliberately vote on the contrary to everyone else. This is how the Trireme was born.
Every Trireme held between 20-50 soldiers, and either 170 or 174 oarsmen. Mr Paraskevatos’ Trireme is a 174 oarsmen ship. The role of the oarsmen was difficult and specialised. When engaged in sea battle and the wind was not enough, the navy would remove the masts and leave them on shore and solely use the oarsmen, leaving the deck clear. However when there were sufficient winds and both the sails and oars were in use the oarsmen had to show great skill in manoeuvrability. When the oarsmen were not needed to manoeuvre the ship they also engaged in battle.

Historical information

The name Trireme comes from its distinct three rows of oars/oarsmen. The first tier of rowers were known as the Thranites, translating to Thrones. They were the most prestigious, and worked the hardest because their oars were furthest away from the water and therefore had to work harder. They were usually younger and they were paid one and a half drachma per day, half a drachma more than the other two tiers of rowers who were paid one drachma per day. After a few years working as Thranites, each was moved down into the second tier, the Zygites. Zygites derives from the word balance, as the second tier was balanced in the middle. After more years again, oarsmen were moved down into the third and final tier, known as the Thalamites. The Thalamites were consistently wet due to the proximity of their tier to the water. The water would leak through the gaps where the oars entered the ships despite the leather skins used to close the openings.

Significance

This is a unique specimen made by D. Paraskevatos, in that it is the only one of its kind in the world that has been built to the exact specifications of the Athenian vessel. It was built in Melbourne and it also has historic and artistic value

English wooden ship model - Cutty Sark replica

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

The English Cutty Sark replica model is a wooden replica scaled at 1:25. The wood is mahogany and it is normally displayed in a glass covered enclosure. It has three masts and it is the largest vessel of Denis Paraskevatos collection

Historical information

This replica ship was modelled to exact scale by Denis Paraskevatos with the original basic kit enhanced by a large number of brass and mahogany wooden parts used and showing on two labels positioned at the base of the model. These replica parts were specifically designed and constructed by D. Paraskevatos with the help of his family.
This model along a large number of others have been displayed at the Victorian Parliament for ten days from the 18th March 2002 (Queens Hall) to the 28th March 2002, and the Melbourne Town Hall from 19th to 27th August 2004.
The history of the 65 meter British vessel named Cutty Sark is as follows:
THE CUTTY SARK (history)
The “Cutty Sark” was a British clipper ship, aptly named of course as a [clipper for its speed ], which was built in 1869 on the [river Clyde in Scotland ] by the Jock Willis Shipping Corporation.
It was primarily used to transport tea from China to Great Britain, as well to a lesser extent later in its life, wool from Australia; however, with the advent of the steam engines and the creation also of the Suez Canal in 1869, its days of operation as a sailing vessel were numbered, as the steam ships were now prevailing as technologically advanced cargo carriers through the shorter route by the Suez Canal to China. In fact, within a few years of its operation, as its delegation in the tea industry was declining, it was assigned primarily the duty of transporting wool from Australia to England, but this activity was thwarted again by the steam ships, as they were enabled by their technologies to travel faster to Australia. Eventually, the “Cutty Sark” in 1895 was sold to a Portuguese company called “Ferreira and Co.”, where it continued to operate as a cargo ship until 1922, when it was purchased on that year by the retired sea captain Wilfred Dowman, who used it as a training ship in the town of Falmouth in Cornwall. After his death, the ship was conferred as a gesture of good will to the “Thames Nautical Training College” in Greenhithe in 1938, where it became an auxiliary cadet training ship, outliving its usefulness as a training vessel by 1954, and permanently [being dry docked in Greenwich, London, ] for public viewing.
Of course, the “Cutty Sark” was not the only tea clipper constructed and owned by the Jock Willis Corporation, as there were others who were also used for the transportation of tea from China to Great Britain. Noteworthy additionally in its impressive resume is the fact that, the “Cutty Sark” was not only valued and admired for its speed, but also for its prestige that it afforded to its owners, [as media coverage was insatiable during a tea race that was regarded a national sporting event, with fiscal bets being placed on a predicted winning ship ]. Disappointingly, even though the English tea clippers were the best in the world at the time in terms of marine design, they had never won a tea race, and Jock Willis was certainly determined to achieve this goal, as the American clippers were considered the fastest in the tea trade. Nonetheless, the British clippers were proven to be formidable opponents to their American counterparts in the tea trade, when in 1868 a British tea clipper called [“Thermopylae”, managed to travel from the port of London to Melbourne, in only sixty one (61) days, which Jock Willis was hoping to improve on such a feat with the “Cutty Sark” ] .
Remarkably, the maximum speed that the “Cutty Sark” could achieve was 17.5 knots in spite of the challenges of the unpredictable winds, if any at times, and the high seas or ferocious storms. Interestingly, [the “Cutty Sark’s” greatest recorded achievement in distance in twenty four (24) hours was three hundred and sixty three (363) nautical miles ], which meant that it was averaging approximately fifteen (15) knots; much faster obviously than the recorded twenty four (24) hour distance of the “Thermopylae” which had accomplished three hundred and fifty (358) nautical miles. ....
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-*- Please read the complete history of the Cutty Sark vessel by Maria Paraskevatos in one of the attachments provided with this exhibit.

Significance

This model along with a large number of others was constructed by the Master craftsman Denis Paraskevatos, in Melbourne and has a historic, artistic significance because of the time and artist efforts in construction.

Inscriptions & Markings

Boy's soccer shorts

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Navy blue polyester soccer shorts with white string around waist and side inscription. Part "B" of a two piece soccer uniform.

Historical information

The full costume was worn by players belonging to the Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower" taking part in outdoor and indoor soccer matches organised by the Association as part of the annual "Dimitria" celebrations called DIMITRIA CUP, starting from 1997 and beyond. It is not know exactly when was the last time the tournament was held.

Significance

Historical significance for the purposes it was used by Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower", in tournaments, indoor and outdoor soccer competitions at the DIMITRIA CUP, which was done through co-operation of Thessaloniki Association and Pan-Macedonian Association

Men's Soccer Jersey

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Men's navy blue and white soccer jersey, with white collar and inscriptions. Has Thessaloniki logo across the chest and in white writing, S.S.I. logo, and Pronto Refrigeration logo of same name sponsor. S.S.I. manufacturer logo also on white collar. Polyester material and part "A" of a two piece uniform.

Historical information

Full uniform used by Thessaloniki Association's soccer team in a tournament organised as part of "Dimitria" celebrations in soccer matches, outdoor and indoor.

Significance

Historical significance for the purposes it was used by Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower", in indoor and outdoor soccer matches

Inscriptions & Markings

Girls dancing costume scarf - κασκόλ, στολή, costume, scarf, Plutarch

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Yellow girl's dancing costume scarf, triangular in shape, silk with gold and silver embroidery around top. Part "D" of a four piece costume.

Historical information

The full costume used traditionally by girls in the 16th to 19th century AD. In Australia used by Thessaloniki Association “The White Tower” in Greek dances, parades and theatrical performances as a traditional costume.

Significance

Historical significance for the purposes it was used by Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower", in functions, dancing and parades.

Girls dancing costume apron

Historical information

The full costume used traditionally by girls in the 16th to 19th century AD. In Australia used by Thessaloniki Association “The White Tower” in Greek dances, parades and theatrical performances as a traditional costume.

Significance

Historical significance for the purposes it was used by Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower", in functions, dancing and parades.

Lady's dancing costume Belt - Ζώνη από στολή βλαχοπούλας

Lady's dancing costume belt. Woollen with silver sequins and beading. Fringe on either end. Slightly damaged, silver buttons missing. Part "D" of a four piece costume.

Historical information

The full costume used traditionally by ladies in the 16th to 19th century AD. Now used in Greek dances, parades and theatrical performances as a traditional costume. In Australia used by Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower".

Significance

Historical significance for the purposes it was used by Thessaloniki Association "The White Tower", in functions, dancing and parades.

Lady's dancing costume Jacket - Γιλέκο στολής βλαχοπούλας

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Lady's dancing costume Jacket, gold and silver embroidery around edges. It has orange lining of silk material, lace and linen frill sleeve. Whole costume is called "Vlahopoula". Velvet outer. Part "C" of a four piece costume.

Historical information

The full costume used traditionally by ladies in the 16th to 19th century AD. Now used in Greek dances, parades and theatrical performances as a traditional costume.

Significance

Historical significance due to the variety of traditional functions it was used during the 1990's

Significance

Boy's Tsolia Costume belt - Ζώνη από στολή τσολιά

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Part of a six piece costume, red woollen belt with black fringe. The full costume used traditionally by soldiers in the 16th to 19th century AD. Recently used in parades and plays as a traditional costume

Historical information

The full costume used traditionally by soldiers in the 16th to 19th century AD. Recently used in parades and plays as a traditional costume. This is the actual belt used with the costume

Boy's Costume Jacket - Παιδική στολή τσιολιά

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

This is a jacket for boys that is worn as part of the six piece traditional costume. It is navy blue in color and has gold and silver embroidery along the edges. It has silver buttons and a silky orange lining

Historical information

This is part of a contemporary traditional costume worn by males in parades and theatre productions these days, however worn by soldiers in battle during war times in Greece in the 18th - 19th century

Inscriptions & Markings

Hand Operated drill

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

Metal adjustable height, hand operated drill. Rusty appearance. It seems to have a small piece at the bottom broken off, but still in working order according to Mr P. Yiannoudes.
This drill was used to drill holes in cinema light carbon sticks in order to extend their life.

Historical information

From January 1959 and until 1982, “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures”, owned by Mr Peter Yannoudes (Παναγιώτης Γιαννούδης) and Mr Stathis Raftopoulos (Στάθης Ραφτόπουλος) travelled around Australia to entertain the Greek, Turkish, Indian and Yugoslav speaking population of Australia and provide a significant cinema culture. They travelled as far as Perth in WA, Adelaide in SA, Tasmania, Darwin in Nt, Canberra in ACT and Sydney and NSW. However they found themselves also in places like Berri and Renmark in NSW, where concentrations of migrants lived and thrived during the period.
Initially they were travelling by train, carrying all their equipment by hand and placing them in boxes and suitcases. However after 1962 when they acquired their first automobile, travelling became less of a burden, nevertheless cumbersome and laborious.
They carried with them initially two portable projectors (second one as a backup) and at times travelled with a third in order to ensure that technology will not be letting them down at the time of film projection. At times the films were projected onto a white sheet of cloth because there was no proper screen to project it on at the venue they were using.

Significance

Primary historic significance in the context that it was used, as well as rarity significance

16mm Portable Optical & Magnetic Sound Projector

Plutarch Project, Caulfield Junction

From January 1959 and until 1982, “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures”, owned by Mr Peter Yannoudes (Παναγιώτης Γιαννούδης) and Mr Stathis Raftopoulos (Στάθης Ραφτόπουλος) travelled around Australia to entertain the Greek, Turkish, Indian and Yugoslav speaking population of Australia and provide a significant cinema culture. They travelled as far as Perth in WA, Adelaide in SA, Tasmania, Darwin in Nt, Canberra in ACT and Sydney and NSW. However they found themselves also in places like Berri and Renmark in NSW, where concentrations of migrants lived and thrived during the period.
Initially they were travelling by train, carrying all their equipment by hand and placing them in boxes and suitcases. However after 1962 when they acquired their first automobile, travelling became less of a burden, nevertheless cumbersome and laborious.
They carried with them initially two portable projectors (second one as a backup) and at times travelled with a third in order to ensure that technology will not be letting them down at the time of film projection. At times the films were projected onto a white sheet of cloth because there was no proper screen to project it on at the venue they were using.
One of the three projectors used in every trip was this 16mm Portable Projector, which was used taken to about 60 towns and cities around Australia, as Mr Yiannoudes states.
This projector is in working condition serviced by Mr Yiannoudes himself regularly. It is an optical and magnetic sound projector, a rare one of its type.
Apart from this projector these items were taken on each trip.
-a- 3 projectors in total
-b- 2 tripod stands
-c- 1 20 feet x 10 feet screen
-d- 6 projector lamps and 2 exider lamps for sound
-e- 2 extra lamps per film to be shown
-f- 1 film rewinder (see rewinder in same collection)

Historical information

One of the three projectors used in every trip was this 16mm Portable Projector, which was used taken to about 60 towns and cities around Australia, as Mr Yiannoudes states. This projector is in working condition serviced by Mr Yiannoudes himself regularly. It is an optical and magnetic sound projector, a rare one of its type.